In the Absence of Light

I was absolutely delighted that Andrea Tsai Barker was able to shoot this week's shipment. Yesterday I was dashing from one meeting and heading to the next and popped into the store somewhere in between. As I opened the door I saw Andrea, camera in hand, looking like a kid in a candy store not quite sure where to begin as it all looked so edible. This week's flowers were nothing short of beautiful; I am so proud of our direction and quality. They are truly breathtaking flowers that simply cannot be ignored! 

Well after midnight, her link arrived; I couldn't wait until morning. Image after image downloaded and I was able to see each bloom through Andrea's eyes. In her covering email Andrea explained her thoughts as she captured each blossom:    

The contrast of the shadows and dark flooring of the shop really helped to elevate and lift the incredible colours of the flowers.  I played that up with contrast, and experimented with different perspectives, finding myself often on my knees, on the floor, or standing high up on a chair.  I also emphasised shape by pairing particular blooms with vases, photographing them so that they resembled still life paintings.

 Hydrangea

 Dendrobium orchids

 Garden Roses

David Austen Rose in Apricot 

 Vibernum

 Hydrangea

 A peek inside the fridge

 Larkspur and Gladiola

 Veronica

 Hydrangea

 Hypericum

 Hydrangea

  Germini

 Freesia

 Tulips

Spray roses

Through the eyes of another

With Amanda away it seemed the perfect opportunity to invite a guest photographer who was as crazy about flowers as we are. Andrea Tsai Barker was the first to respond. She sent a link to some photos she'd taken and I was sold. But don't take my word for it - today's blog captures this week's shipment. And in her own words, she expresses her love for flowers: 

My love affair with flowers was cultivated at a young age by my mum.  There were weekly trips to the garden centre and, quite often, vases of fresh flowers dotted around the house.  Just as each flower was exotic, so were their names: anemones, dahlias, peonies, zinnias, proteas, ranunculus, hydrangeas...and even today, hearing these words conjures up a riot of colour and texture.

Mokara Orchids

I can think of no better subject for an image than the unique beauty of flowers -- the graceful curve of their stems, their unfurling leaves, the way the light shimmers on their petals.  There is even beauty in the last days of a spent, dying blossom, when only a few petals remain and there is little life left.  But, above all, my favourite way to photograph flowers is to capture the texture of their blossoms, so that it's almost palpable, as though you could reach out and touch it.

Spray Rose - "Babe"

  Oak Leaves

 Ranunculus

"Babe"

Ornamental Cabbage

 Duett -Roses

Viburnum (fruit) 

 Hyacinth

 Hydrangea

Ornamental Cabbage

                                                                           Delphinium

 Thistle

 Snowberry

 Germini "Capri"

Chinese Lanterns and Matricaria

We are so incredibly fortunate that Andrea was able to so beautifully portray our flowers. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. This week's flowers are nothing short of incredible. As always available in limited quantities. As always just for you... njb

Seeing life in technicolour

For weeks we've been running low by Monday and by Tuesday, we are positively sold out. The fridge looks barren as does the shop. You can almost hear the cries: "Feed my soul with colour."  And we can't have that! So we are now receiving a shipment on Tuesdays. This week our schedules danced around Tropical Storm Gabrielle and as the flowers were unpacked, and colour filled the shop, the clouds began to lift cutting a path across the sky.

Gladioli and Lilies over 3 feet high! Gloriosa Lilies in magenta tinged with lemon, Parrot Tulips in Apricot and lime green in September. Can you imagine?. Snow white Snowberry in the softest shades of white and pink, lavender roses and the deepest shade of red Ranunculus.  Good heavens! 

As I looked around the shop, I grinned the biggest grin. The kind that Amanda says makes my eyes look squinty disappear and I look all teeth. It was my "hug-me-why-don't-you" oh so incredibly happy face. Suddenly all was right with the world. That's what's so wonderful about our flowers; they make everything okay.

But don't take my word for it, visit our shop on 19 Queen Street and take home your own touch of magic.